Shirley Cramer

Shirley Ellen Cramer, 83, Wausau, died Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Shirley was born March 12, 1938 in Stanley to the late Frank and Aline (Gummerson) Karye.  Following her graduation from high school, she attended UW-Milwaukee, and later married the love of her life Donald Lee Cramer.  The couple was blessed with 2 sons: Brian and Terry.  Shirley worked for Shopko Pharmacy as a tech for 23 years before retiring.  After 50 loving years together, Donald died on November 14, 2010.

Shirley was a quick-witted woman with a wonderful sense of humor who persevered through a great deal of adversity with grace and strength.  She dearly loved her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her close friends.  Shirley embraced technology and was an avid texting and Facebook user staying in touch with family and friends.  She was very proud of her Finnish heritage and true Wisconsinite, enjoying fish fries and the occasional old fashioned.  Shirley was also a wonderful baker who enjoyed working in her flower garden, bird watching, and playing Bingo.

Shirley is survived by her daughter-in-law, Terri Stover-Cramer; grandchildren, Ryan (Katelyn) Anderson, Brett (Jodi) Anderson, Kyle (Rebecca) Ellison and Erin (Nate) Dorn; great-grandchildren, Zack, Brielle, Claudia, Caleb, Alexandria, Camden and Brooklyn; 3 nieces, 1 nephew; dear friend, Cheryl and many more good friends and extended family.  She is preceded in death by her sons, Brian and Terry.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Helke Funeral Home.  Pastor Steve Grunwald will officiate.  Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home on Tuesday.  Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery near Owen-Withee.  Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Concerns of Police Survivors (P.O. Box 3199, Camdenton, MO  65020).  C.O.P.S. is a non-profit organization that assists children from all over the country who have lost a parent in the line-of-duty.  Memorial funds will be used to sponsor their annual summer camp held in Wisconsin, where they learn outdoor skills and spend quality time together.

Very special appreciation goes to the nursing staff of Aspirus Wausau Hospital who took wonderful care of Shirley.